Airbus, Tata Group to set up helicopter manufacturing facility in India

Airbus Helicopters will partner with the Tata Group to establish a final assembly line for helicopters in the country, a development that will help in boosting indigenous manufacturing activities.

This will be the second final assembly line that will be built by Airbus in India after the 'Make in India' C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Gujarat.

The Final Assembly Line (FAL) will produce Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India and for exporting to some of the neighbouring countries, Airbus Helicopter said in a statement.

The facility will also be the first instance where a private sector player will set up a helicopter manufacturing facility in India, providing a major boost to the Indian government's 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) programme, the statement said.

Airbus Helicopters will collaborate with the Tata Group to construct a final assembly line for helicopters in the country, which will help strengthen domestic manufacturing activity. Airbus will build its second final assembly line in India, following the 'Make in India' C295 military aircraft production facility in Gujarat.

India's growing aviation prowess!

A historic day as @TataCompanies and Airbus join forces to establish India’s first private sector Helicopter Final Assembly Line (FAL) for producing H125 helicopters.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in promoting indigenous… https://t.co/rUah2J85lc

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) January 26, 2024

According to Airbus Helicopter, the Final Assembly Line (FAL) will construct Airbus H125 helicopters from its civil range for India and export to adjacent nations.

The facility will also be the first case where a private sector entity would build up a helicopter manufacturing plant in India, offering a significant boost to the Indian government's 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) project, according to the announcement.

The FAL is projected to be operational in 24 months, with first deliveries of 'Made in India' H125s beginning in 2026. The location of the FAL will be selected jointly by Airbus and the Tata Group. Financial details were not revealed.

Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia called it a historic day, and the collaboration is a huge step forward in fostering indigenous manufacturing. It would also benefit the economy by offering varied job opportunities, he added.

Under the partnership, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a Tata Group subsidiary, and Airbus Helicopters will collaborate to build the facility.

Airbus partners with @TataCompanies to set up India’s first helicopter Final Assembly Line in the private sector
Read the press release: https://t.co/QSoZDo3wDD pic.twitter.com/P9DrCO3I9D

— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) January 26, 2024

The statement was made during French President Emmanuel Macron's two-day visit to India as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations.

Airbus Helicopters stated the FAL will integrate the primary component assemblies, avionics, and mission systems, as well as install electrical harnesses, hydraulic circuits, flight controls, dynamic components, fuel system, and engine.

Additionally, it will test, qualify, and deliver the H125 to customers in India and the region.

Talking about the development, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury said, "Helicopters are crucial for nation building. A 'Made-in-India' civil helicopter will not only be a symbol of the confident New India but will also unlock the true potential of the helicopter market in the country." 

He also stated that FAL is a reaffirmation of Airbus' commitment to developing the full spectrum of the aerospace ecosystem in India, and added, "This will be the second final assembly line Airbus is building in India after the 'Make in India' C295 military aircraft manufacturing facility in Vadodara, Gujarat." 

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, said the Tata Group is pleased to set up India's first helicopter assembly facility in the private sector. "This facility will have the final assembly line in partnership with Airbus for the world's bestselling Airbus H125 single engine helicopter for the Indian as well as export markets," he added.

According to the announcement, this multi-mission workhorse will revolutionise passenger and freight transportation while also serving emergency medical services (HEMS), disaster management, law enforcement, tourism, and aerial work missions.

The H125, by providing last-mile connectivity to rural locations, will greatly contribute to the Central Government's regional connectivity project 'UDAN', which will further develop the country's tourism sector, it added.

In a post on X, Scindia said the partnership will empower the Make In India initiative. It will also give a major boost to the country's economy by creating diverse opportunities for employment and job creation, unlocking the potential of the Indian aerospace sector, and further solidifying Indo-France relations, he added.

Earlier in the day, Scindia, after a meeting with Faury, said India has huge potential to become a global aircraft manufacturing hub.